502 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph, NJ 07869-3799
Tel: 973.989.7100 • Fax: 973.989.7076

Township Council » Meetings » Minutes: February 26, 2015

All meeting minutes posted on the township website are unofficial minutes. Official copies of minutes may be obtained from the township clerk.

Minutes: February 26, 2015

A. OPENING OF WORK SESSION MEETING

1. Call to Order

A regular meeting of the Randolph Township Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Veech. This meeting is held pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. Adequate notice of the meeting has been provided by posting written notice of the time, date, location, and to the extent known, the agenda of the meeting in Randolph Township. This notice was posted on the bulletin board within Town Hall, it was filed with the Township Clerk, and it was provided to those persons or entities requesting notification. Notice was also provided to the Randolph Reporter and the Morris County Daily Record on December 19, 2014 by e-mailing them the annual resolution adopted by the Council on December 4, 2014. The annual resolution, which included this meeting date, was advertised in the Randolph Reporter, the official newspaper of the Township of Randolph, and the Daily Record on December 24, 2014.

2. Roll Call

PRESENT:
Councilwoman Carey
Councilman Forstenhausler
Councilman Guadagno
Councilman Loveys
Councilman Napoliello
Deputy Mayor Hirniak
Mayor Veech

Also present: Township Manager Mountain

3. Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor Veech led the Pledge of Allegiance.

B. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS

1. Girl Scout Gold Awards—Andrea Yeakel and Rachael Carlin

Mayor Veech commended Andrea Yeakel and Rachael Carlin for their achievement. Each Girl Scout described her project. Councilwoman Carey read the following proclamations:

RECOGNIZING GIRL SCOUT ANDREA YEAKEL

WHEREAS, Andrea Yeakel has been involved in Scouting for the past 11 years and is a member of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, Troop #493; and

WHEREAS, Andrea Yeakel has now earned the honor of receiving the Girl Scout Gold Award; and

WHEREAS, Andrea Yeakel had learned of the non-profit group New Jersey AIDS Services, also known as the Eric Johnson House, an organization whose primary mission is to respond compassionately and responsibly to the HIV/AIDS crisis by providing supportive services, housing opportunities, prevention strategies, and education to the community; and

WHEREAS, Andrea Yeakel created and edited a video in which she interviews residents, staff, and volunteers, hoping to help erase the stigma associated with the disease and to raise awareness for the Eric Johnson House; and

WHEREAS, Andrea Yeakel’s video appeared on the organization’s website and was presented at the annual Community Partnership Breakfast, where Andrea gave a speech to talk about what she gained from the experience and how it had affected her; and

WHEREAS, in achieving this accomplishment, Andrea Yeakel has reached the zenith of Scouting and, as such, is a source of pride and inspiration for all of Randolph.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by Randolph Township that Gold Award recipient Andrea Yeakel is recognized and congratulated for this exceptional achievement.

RECOGNIZING GIRL SCOUT RACHAEL CARLIN

WHEREAS, Rachael Carlin has been involved in Scouting for the past 13 years and is a member of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, Troop #2170; and

WHEREAS, Rachael Carlin has now earned the honor of receiving the Girl Scout Gold Award; and

WHEREAS, Rachael Carlin had spent her sophomore year as a member of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Randolph High School and learned of the many challenges facing people in the community; and

WHEREAS, Rachel Carlin had taken on the role of treasurer, became more involved in meeting planning, and was eventually elected President of the GSA, but wanted to do more to educate and raise awareness about the struggles faced by many in the Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transvestite community due to stereotyping and discrimination, which in some cases has led to such serious consequences as suicide; and

WHEREAS, during Team Harmony’s Anti-Bullying assembly at the High School, Rachael Carlin spoke to the entire student body, sharing some of the stories she had heard and things that she had learned in an effort to drive home the message of acceptance, respect, compassion, and the importance of being a friend; and

WHEREAS, in achieving this accomplishment, Rachael Carlin has reached the zenith of Scouting and, as such, is a source of pride and inspiration for all of Randolph.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by Randolph Township that Gold Award recipient Rachael Carlin is recognized and congratulated for this exceptional achievement.

C. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Judith Stewart of 114 Everdale Road stated the agendas for meetings have not gotten onto the township website. Mayor Veech asked Manager Mountain to be sure agendas for township meetings be included on the website.

Seeing no one further from the public, the public portion was closed.

D. MANAGER’S REPORT

Manager Mountain reported the following:

  • Parks Master Plan—the planning process is moving forward. Consultant Brandstetter Carroll has been working with the steering committee; a number of items have moved forward. A date has been established for an initial, community-wide meeting on the plan with publicity going out in the next week through a variety of mediums; the meeting will be on Tuesday, March 17th at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center. In addition to the public meeting, two survey instruments have been developed. One will be distributed in a targeted manner to a random group of residents in order to achieve a statistically valid response rate, there will also be a more general survey available at various community facilities as well as at community activities and events. A series of stakeholder group meetings will take place in March and April involving program leaders, business leaders, sponsors, individuals involved in the schools, and school age kids in order to gain a varied perspective on the township parks and recreation offerings. Each of the stakeholder groups will receive a letter from the consultant that has been reviewed by the steering committee that will give them direction on how to work with their respective areas to generate the type of input they will be asked to provide at the meeting. The steering committee has put in a lot of work to develop the survey; copies have been provided to the Council. The Manager stated that if Council members are asked questions about the plan that they aren’t comfortable answering, they can direct those questions to him or to Russ Newman. In addition to using the township website to advertise public meetings and ways that people can participate, the web portal will also have information on the process that will be maintained by the consultant. The consultant will also have a table at the Community Wellness Day, and the Recreation Department will also be present.
  • Water Main Breaks—there were three water main breaks in the Shongum area due to the extreme cold weather. Manager Mountain acknowledged the Water & Sewer crews for working from mid-morning until about 8 p.m. in extreme cold and fixing all three breaks. He also acknowledged the Public Works Department for providing assistance to the Water & Sewer crews. The Manager’s Office received a number of calls from residents thanking the staff for their prompt attention to the water main breaks and their timely repairs.

E. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

1. Approving the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 3, 2015

Councilman Guadagno made a motion to approve the Regular Meeting minutes from February 3, 2015. Councilman Forstenhausler seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

AYES:
Councilwoman Carey
Councilman Forstenhausler
Councilman Guadagno
Councilman Loveys
Councilman Napoliello
Deputy Mayor Hirniak
Mayor Veech

NAYS: None

F. COMBINED ACTION RESOLUTIONS

Councilman Guadagno asked if in the future addresses can be added to block and lot information in Resolutions.

Councilman Guadagno made a motion to approve the Combined Action Resolutions. Councilwoman Carey seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

AYES:
Councilwoman Carey
Councilman Forstenhausler
Councilman Guadagno
Councilman Loveys
Councilman Napoliello
Deputy Mayor Hirniak
Mayor Veech

NAYS: None

1. Release Escrow Funds for Block 44, Lot 14 to Randolph Township Development for the Application Fee of $460.00 and the Remaining Escrow of $1,000.00

R-64-15

WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Department received Site Plan Extension Fee from Randolph Township Development, LLC, Block 44, Lot 14 and in the amount of $920; and

WHEREAS, the applicant has withdrawn its application prior to public hearing and is requesting a refund of the application fee in the amount of $460.00 (50 percent of original application fee), and remaining escrow funds in the amount of $1,000.00.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Randolph, County of Morris, State of New Jersey that it is recommended by Darren Carney, Planning and Zoning Administrator the application fee in the amount of $460.00 (50 percent of original application fee) and remaining escrow funds in the amount of $1,000.00 be refunded to Randolph Township Development, LLC, 277 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield, NJ 07004.

_______________________________________
Darren Carney, Planning & Zoning Administrator

2. Authorizing Change Order #1, #2, and #3 to the Contract for the Municipal Building HVAC with Air Systems Maintenance, Inc. Bringing the Contract Total from $341,000.00 to $343,888.00

R-66-15

WHEREAS, the original contract amount with Air Systems Maintenance, Inc., for the Randolph Township Municipal Building HVAC improvements, is $341,000.00; and

WHEREAS, Change Order #1, in the amount of $1,668.00, was required for the installation of additional air ducts to a new VAV box; and

WHEREAS, Change order #2, in the amount of $880.00, was required for the removal of an existing VAV box and the installation of additional ducts; and

WHEREAS, Change order #3, in the amount of $340.00, was required for the removal of an existing VAV box and associated duct work; and

WHEREAS, The Randolph Township Engineering Department recommends that the above change orders be approved and the contract amount be amended as follows:

Original contract amount $341,000.00
Change Order #1 $1,668.00
Change Order #2 $880.00
Change Order #3 $340.00
Revised Contract Totals $343,888.00

WHEREAS, the revised contract with Air Systems Maintenance, Inc., including these change orders, is $343,888.00.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Randolph, County of Morris , State of New Jersey, that contract Change Order Numbers 1, 2, and 3 are to be approved and the contract to be amended accordingly.

G. UPCOMING EVENTS

  1. Habitat for Humanity Hearts and Hammers Gala—Saturday, February 28th, 6:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m., Meadow Wood Manor, 461 Route 10 East, Randolph
  2. Budget Meeting—Saturday, February 28th at 8:30 a.m.
  3. Morris County Economic Development Corp.—First Quarterly Meeting on Tuesday, March 3rd from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  4. Randolph Chamber of Commerce After Hours—AAA Northwest - Roxbury Mall, 275-33 Route 10 East, Succasunna - Wednesday, March 4th at 5:00 p.m.
  5. Community Wellness Day—Randolph Middle School, Millbrook Avenue, Randolph on Saturday, March 7th from noon to 3 p.m. - rain or shine
  6. Ribbon Cutting—New Senior Bus - 1:30 p.m. on March 7th at Community Wellness Day
  7. Budget Meeting—Saturday, March 14th at 8:30 a.m.
  8. Budget Meeting—Saturday, March 21st at 8:30 a.m.
  9. Ribbon Cutting—MAX of Randolph on March 28th at 11:00 a.m. - 3 Middlebury Blvd.
  10. PTO Women’s Night Out—Friday, March 13th

H. DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. Stop Sign Recommendations

Manager Mountain explained that the recommendation started in the Police Department in response to a complaint from a resident. The area is Stonehill Road and Sanford Drive, it is a loop road; presently there is not a stop sign on either location. The Police Department looked at the two intersections and felt that, due to the nature of them, it would be advantageous to have stop signs installed. The first step in the process is to have it certified by the town engineer, which Paul Ferriero has done. If the Council was in agreement with the proposal, an Ordinance would be created which would become the mechanism in which the township could legally install the stop signs. The Traffic Advisory Committee was informed of this by the Police Department; the Manager believes the committee was in support of the recommendation.

There was some Council discussion on why there is a need for the stop signs at this time. There was consensus from the Council for the Manager to begin the process of developing an Ordinance to install the stop signs.

I. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Judith Stewart of 114 Everdale Road suggested that a stop sign be installed at the west end of Schoolhouse Road where it intersects Center Grove Road; she realized the township would have to involve the County. Mrs. Stewart expressed concern over sight issues when the foliage is in bloom in the summer. Mayor Veech asked Manager Mountain to discuss the issue with the Police Department.

Seeing no one further from the public, the public portion was closed.

J. COUNCIL COMMENTS

Councilman Napoliello asked Manager Mountain how the township was doing with road salt. The Manager stated that road salt was not a problem at this time; after a couple of the storms that were back to back the township was getting low, but there are no issues currently. The township was able to loan Roxbury fifty tons of salt. Councilman Napoliello stated that he felt the roads have been in great shape.

Councilman Loveys stated that he also commended the Water & Sewer crews and the DPW for their work on the three water main breaks. He also wanted to express his thanks to the crews for their many hours of plowing.

Councilman Forstenhausler reported that the Environmental Commission meeting for January 20th was postponed to February 24th; they held a reorganization meeting. There was discussion on the shredded paper having to be in clear plastic bags & if the township was supplying those bags. The Health Department recommended that shredding be done with the township shredding service at the Clean Communities Day whenever possible, and if it isn’t done there, then you can use the small plastic bags from the grocery stores. Also discussed at the meeting was that in single stream recycling, the paper doesn’t mix well with the wet materials, and they asked if a second recycling can would be available. A second can may be purchased for $20 in the Health Department. The next Environmental Commission meeting will be on April 20th.

Deputy Mayor Hirniak reported that he visited the new animal shelter; he encouraged everyone to visit. He stated that there are two buildings, one that remains in the condition in which both structures had been, and the new structure which has been renovated. A couple who was at the shelter while Deputy Mayor Hirniak was there, told him it was the third municipal facility they had visited that day and had no intention of adopting that day, but had just been looking. However, it was the only facility which treated them nicely and they said they would do everything they can to support the facility and they decided to adopt a kitten. Deputy Mayor Hirniak commended the staff and volunteers at the shelter. Deputy Mayor also reported that he attended the Wildlife Management Committee meeting; they are considering modifying the hunting season, and modifying the distance between stands. There was discussion at the meeting about residents who continue to feed deer, and how detrimental it is to the overall goal of reducing the herd. There are no numbers yet as to the number of deer taken this year.

Mayor Veech reported there is a Morris County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon on March 11th. She and Deputy Mayor Hirniak cannot attend; the Mayor asked if any other council members were interested in attending. She also reported that she received a letter from the Executive Vice President Retiree of Veterans Affairs from the Association of the United States Army at Picatinny. There is an Applebee’s fundraiser to support the Association of the United States Army, the Picatinny Arsenal Middle Forge Chapter on March 21st from 8 am to 10 am in Flanders. Mayor Veech also reported that Freeholder Scapicchio provided her with Resolutions 13, 19, and 20 for Sussex Turnpike so the project is moving forward.

Councilman Loveys asked Manager Mountain if he had gotten any dates from the County. Manager Mountain stated that he has spoken to the County Engineer, he was reluctant to schedule dates until the contractor was awarded and they had an opportunity to speak internally. The Manager will follow up with him.

K. EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Manager explained that there had been an item for Executive Session; however, he had some questions for Fred Semrau. Mr. Semrau was not in a position to answer the Manager’s questions prior to the Council meeting so the decision was to pull the item.

L. ADJOURNMENT

Councilman Guadagno made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Councilman Loveys seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

AYES:
Councilwoman Carey
Councilman Forstenhausler
Councilman Guadagno
Councilman Loveys
Councilman Napoliello
Deputy Mayor Hirniak
Mayor Veech

NAYS: None

return to top